Hi folks,

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Greetings,

 It is time for another holiday sale. These are the books I have in stock. I have plenty of a few titles and more limited quantities of others, like the 1st shamanic healing book. All books are $10 plus shipping. Email me at kristin@kristinmadden.com, if you are interested.

Pagan Homeschooling

Pagan Parenting

Shamanic Guide to Death and Dying

The Book of Shamanic Healing (1 in English, 1 in Danish, 2 in Spanish, and 2 in Russian)

Magick, Mystery, and Medicine: advanced shamanic healing (2009 COVR award finalist)

Festival Feasts cookbook

Mabon

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Many thanks to my readers in Mexico and the Czech Republic! I hope that you are finding great value in The Book of Shamanic Healing.

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In a recent discussion on shamanic magic, the subject of incantations came up. It proved to be quite an interesting discourse. I thought this excerpt from Magic, Mystery and Medicine (WillowTree Press) might provoke some insights and discussions for some of you. 

   "Used for everything from creating sacred space to calling back soul parts to awakening and activating healing plants, descriptions of incantations may be found in nearly every corner of the world.  Some of them are long poignant pieces of ritual poetry.  Others are simple statements or non-verbal toning and singing.  In whatever form they take, these are wonderful ways to engage body, mind, and spirit and focus that energy into one powerful magickal 'arrow'."

    "The use of incantations involves the power of the breath in working magick.  The breath is not only something that is essential in keeping us alive, it is the physical manifestation of the living energy of the multiverse.  Control of the breath leads to control of the mind and all the forces you will work with during your healing practice.  Through the breath alone, you can channel and charge an object with magickal intent.  So before you start chanting incantations over a fire, learn to control your breathing."

Of course, the chapter goes on to offer ways to gain control over breathing. Other techniques for breath control can be found in The Book of Shamanic Healing (Llewellyn), which is now available in 4 languages.

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I consider things like this each year as I begin anew. I thought I'd share this excerpt from my book, Magick, Mystery, and Medicine, WillowTree Press 2008 (www.willowtreepress.com). Just a few things for your consideration as we all work to create a better world.

Do you believe you are an honorable person?  Do you live with integrity all the time?  Have you ever examined your ethical code and actions?  Here is one more question for you – how do you define ethics?

At face value, these may seem to be simple questions.  Either you do the right thing or you don’t.  Either you are a good person or you aren’t.  Either you hold your power and live with integrity or you don’t.  But rarely is it that clear cut.  Before I get into just what ethics are, consider these questions.

• Have you ever told a “little white lie”?
• Do you ever place blame elsewhere when you know you were the cause?
• Have you ever taken office or bathroom supplies home from work?
• When was the last time you gossiped?

Guidelines for Ethical Decision Making

1. Is it legal?  Do you have permission?
2. Will it harm anyone in body, mind, or spirit?
3. Is it fair to, and in the best interests of, everyone involved?
4. How would you feel if everyone knew about it?
5. How will it make you feel about yourself?
6. Do you feel the need to justify it?
7. Have you explored your motivations?
8. What response do your spirit guides give when this decision is brought to them?
9. How would you feel if someone did the same thing to you? 

Common Justifications

1. It came from Spirit/my spirit guides. 
2. Everyone else does it.
3. No one will know.
4. This is what I have time for.  It’s good enough.
5. I can handle it.  I don’t need help.  It’s my responsibility.
6. It’s not my responsibility.

            So considering and outlining your own personal code as a healer is important.  It forces you stop and really think about what you believe, what you want to accomplish, and how you intend to do that.  Even if you do not have a formal healing practice, I still urge you to consider taking the time to do this for yourself.

Mission Statement

            A concise, 1-2 sentence statement of your purpose.  What exactly is it that you intend to accomplish through your healing practice?  This is a general setting of intent for your practice; something that can and should be revisited periodically for possible adjustments.

Vision Statement

            A concise statement of the specific ways you plan to accomplish that mission.  This 1-2 paragraph statement should begin with your mission statement and then go on to outline your unique strategy.  This may also be revisited periodically for possible adjustments.

Code of Ethics

            An outline of the ethical standards you live and work through.  This is generally a list of statements about your aspirations, hopes, and ideals as well as a list of rules, principles, and promises.  You may or may not choose to publicize your Code of Ethics.

            In my mind, honor is about practicing what you preach and living your ethical code.  It includes integrity and also involves doing the right thing … simply because it is the right thing, not because you will get something out of it.  It also brings in the concepts of listening, honesty, learning to communicate well, tolerance, and humility.  Honor means holding your power, remaining connected to Spirit, and acting from that sacred space within.   

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